Sunday, March 27, 2011

Recipe: Cherry Tomato Spaghetti all'Amatriciana

My good friend Nancy cooked this dish during a girls' weekend trip and it was so good that I cooked it for my honey the night after I got home.

It is on our dinner schedule for this week so I thought I would post the recipe.  It is a Rachael Ray 30-minute meal and, although that sometimes means 45-60 minutes in "my time", I can actually make this one in 30 minutes.

Cherry Tomato Spaghetti all'Amatriciana, Broccoli-Pecorino Grattinata and Garlic Bread Sticks

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 pound regular or thick spaghetti
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 pound chunk pancetta, cut into small pieces
  • 1 red onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, grated or finely chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 1/2 cup white wine or chicken broth
  • 2 pints small cherry tomatoes
  • 2/3 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
  • 1 cup basil leaves, torn or chopped
  • 2/3 cup grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese


Directions:

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it, add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta cooking water.
  2. While the pasta is working, in a large skillet, heat the olive oil, 3 turns of the pan, over medium to medium-high heat. Add the pancetta and cook until crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the red onion, garlic and crushed red pepper and cook until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the wine and cook for 1 minute, then add the tomatoes, parsley and a generous amount of salt and pepper. Cook until the tomatoes burst, 8 to 10 minutes.
  3. Stir in the reserved pasta cooking water and then the pasta, tossing to coat. Turn off the heat, add the basil and cheese and serve.
Recipe on the Rachael Ray website: Cherry Tomato Spaghetti all'Amatriciana


Tips:
  • I have been able to find all the ingredients at Trader Joe's.  
  • It has a nice kick but I usually add extra red pepper flakes.  
  • I have made it with both white wine and chicken broth and both ways are equally delicious. 
  • If the tomatoes are taking a while to burst, I help them out my smooshing them with the back of a spoon.  (Yes, I am occasionally impatient.)
  • Add a side veggie or salad and some garlic bread and you are good to go!

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